remote working and the benefits for the it industry... and others

posted over 1 year ago

Author: Adrian Kinnersley | Global Managing Director

When set up and managed correctly, remote working can be extremely beneficial for both the employee and the employer in the IT industry – and an ever-widening range of other sectors. Of course, all working arrangements can be mishandled, and can turn sour as a result. But, with the right preparation, “working nomad” can work more efficiently, while giving the company some of the impetus necessary to remain competitive in saturated markets.

A remote working arrangement allows the employee to work from a location which suits them, without the restrictions of an office. This means that the employee can enjoy greater comfort while working and as a result, may produce better work – and may even be able to do more work in the same amount of time. A study in 2014 produced results showing that employees who were offered the opportunity to do their job from the comfort of their own home were more productive than those who remained in the office environment.

In a situation where employees are working harder, faster and feeling more comfortable while doing so, the opportunities for creativity and innovation can become limitless. Employees who are offered the freedom and support to explore their ideas and present their findings will tend to be the ones who will invent the next feature or product that keeps the business ahead of the competition, and changes the landscape of the market. Whilst this is being embraced for experienced software engineers in particular, entry level and part time remote jobs are still hard to come by. It seems you need to have earned your spurs and still be prepared to work full time.

Increasingly, employees (and prospective employees) appreciate the opportunity to work from home.67% of American employees feel more productive when they do so, and 34% are looking for a position that offers the option to work remotely at least some of the time. Lifestyles are becoming increasingly chaotic, and with the average household requiring two full-time salaries to uphold a comfortable lifestyle and support children, it is becoming necessary for individuals to seek out positions which offer flexibility, and an understanding of real life outside of the office.

Remote working can also save businesses money. While an employee is working from home, they are not using a desk in the office, running technology from company power, or even consuming food and drink provided by the business – employees cost money to employ, on top of their salaries. On top of this, employees save money by reducing the need to commute, buy food ‘on-the-go’ or cover childcare costs. It can be a win-win situation for everyone involved.

An interesting recent case study is a company called Zapier who announced in March that they would pay $10,000 in moving expenses to any employees prepared to leave the San Francisco Bay area. Strangely this “delocation” package wasn’t taken up by anyone although interest in the company increased dramatically based on their philosophy of working remotely. Perhaps merely offering remote jobs from home is enough to improve the attractiveness of a company from an employer branding perspective and increase retention.

Remote working can be beneficial for both employees, and the companies who offer the flexible arrangement and opportunity. When arranged correctly, this is a great way to set up employment. As more and more individuals are prioritizing jobs which allow them to work remotely, now is a great time for companies to contact a consultant to see the variety of remote skills available particularly for remote software development jobs.

For those seeking a flexible position with the opportunity to work remotely, the industry is beginning to recognize the importance of this option for employees and opportunities for remote workers are opening every day. Why not create a profile with us to see what’s available in your field?